My Handshaped Mini Simmons

Hi Derek !

Here are some pics of my mini Simmons I have shaped recently.

I wanted to do something like a traditional old school board with the fiberglass leash loop and the wood keels , but with some of modern shapes that I like with diamond tail and the edged rails … I have tried to keep all the shaping details that you described in your book to make it works like a good mini Simmons.

I really enjoyed shaping that board and I really like the look of it .

In the water it works pretty as I expected, and I really like that kind of surf !

I just have a problem : it’s very hard to catch a wave with that board… paddling is really comfortable in general but when I try to catch a wave , I paddle everything I can until I feel the wave pushing me but it is very hard compared to other boards I have with less volume … strange.

I have tried just 2 times for now so maybe I’m not well placed on the board and on the waves, I think that kind of boards you have to ride for a long time to know it well.

I read on some shaping forums that some guys tell that the board is going from the same point as some log but it’s not at all the same with mine ! 🙂

Any advice on the way to catch a wave and ride it ? Or on the shaping mistake I have maybe done ?

Anyway I still love my mini Simmons.

Thanks for your book and giving me want to shape a mini Simmons !

Cheers !

JB